That Lionesses Podcast - Bronze & James: Swiss Cheese, Chaos & Total Wipeout | That Lionesses Podcast Connected by EE

Episode Date: June 23, 2025

Joining Harriet are two besties – one’s a young star lighting up the pitch, the other’s a seasoned Lionesses pro… it’s Lauren James and Lucy Bronze! The pair discuss what reality TV shows they’d be best on, the weirdest foods they’ve tried on their travels and whether it’s acceptable to eat a raclette during an international tournament. Follow @lionesses on Instagram, WhatsApp and X, plus @england on TikTok, Facebook and YouTube so you don’t miss a thing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lucy, you've said before that you say a lot of random stuff, like silence and then, can you believe how long the moon has been here? Yeah, that's the work and world of Lauren James' brain. Yeah, Lauren James' brain. Let's get in there. Go on. Oh, that's good. We have to keep, that's first come first served, that's yours. What about you, Lauren? Are we getting you on I'm a Sleb? No.

Got it in your eyes? Maybe like, Total Wipeout. Total W wipeout! Oh, okay. You have those big bulls, those big red links. I've always wanted to bounce off those. Hello and welcome to another episode of That Lioness's podcast, connected by EE. I'm Harriet Rose and today we're taking a deep dive into what life is really like for

the Lioness's away at a tournament. We're going to be talking unusual foods, collecting souvenirs, and whose specialist subject on Mastermind might be geography or not. And joining me are two players who have really clocked up their fair share of air miles traveling the world playing with the Lionesses. It's Lucy Bronze and Lauren James! Welcome to both of you. Thank you. How are you guys feeling?

Great. Good. Yeah? Yeah, chill. We've got two besties on here. You guys have been friends for a long time. Can we go back to the beginning, Lucy, when you first sort of met LJ

and what made you think you wanted to be mates, not just colleagues? You know? You've made a laugh at us, sir. Well done. 10 out of 10 for me. How many minutes are in normally? I know, it's not a dance. There's going to be more where that came from, babe. Yeah, I mean we met here at SGP. She came in for her first England camp.

Obviously I heard a lot about her ability as a footballer and stuff. Didn't know much about her as a person. And yeah, she was just cool, calm, quiet. I think she just reminded me of some of my other friends. I thought I'd speak to her and then she actually texted me. She made the first move. Oh, nice. Yeah she text me because I think we had loads of meetings and stuff and there was maybe something that she wanted to know more about so she texted me and was like can I chat to you please and I just liked that she just wanted to like be a better player and stuff. After three days at senior camp she was already like what can I do to be better? I think that's like a it's like a respect thing isn't it it's like feeling that level

of like hey I want to come to you and ask for your help and guidance and stuff it's a cool thing to do and it's also wicked that you felt like you could do that with Lucy. Lauren what makes her such a good friend? I'm not sure I feel like we kind of clicked from the get-go. Yeah. I don't know, maybe it's our personalities. Are you yin and yang or yin and yin or... Yin and yang.

We like the same things, I think, like in terms of like football, we like being, want to be the best and competitive, but in a very, it comes across in a very different way. But I think that was what was drawn at the beginning and a lot of our conversations were like, oh, what's like something, even now we're like, oh, about these drinks that are really good to have or food and stuff. But then I think we're quite yin and yang.

Personality wise, I talk a lot more and she just sits and listens to me. Yeah, as you can see. But that's nice. I really wish sometimes that I was like that because it must be so chill. Is it more going on inside your brain than external? Because I find it's both, I'm inside and outside. A lot is going on inside my brain.

I just don't say it. Well, because you say, I've seen a lot that Lucy, you've said before that you say a lot of random stuff, like silence. And then can you believe how long the moon has been here? Like that's my favorite kind of chat. That's my fave. Is that kind of what brought you together? Like those kinds of random chats that you have on the way back from

training or whatever that. We was on the way to a World Cup game, weren't we? Not the World Cup final or something. Just that low-key event. Casual game. And I was just like, oh, why are those doors like that? Yeah, it was like a street and she went, why are all those doors the same colour?

And I was like, what? What? Where has this come from? Yeah, it was just a street with all the front doors with the same colour. That is rare though, isn't it? Have you seen a street with all the doors of the same? I would be really pleased to know that.

And by the way, anything you notice while we're going, let us know. Let us in, because that kind of info, you're never going to get that anywhere else. The working world of Lauren James' brain. Yeah, Lauren James' brain. Let's get in there. Lucy, before we get properly into things, I've got to tell you something. Previously on the podcast, you were voted the player... What do you think it's going to be? Oh...

It's not as bad as good. It's not as bad as you think. Well, I feel like your reaction was like I was going to say something bad, but it's good. It's the player most likely to win a reality TV show. Oh. Yeah. Mayer and Neve thought you'd be very good on a survival type show. 100%.

I'm a celeb, Bear Grylls. Survivor, for sure. Yeah. Yeah? Why? What is it about you that is the thing that makes people think you're crazy? Crazy. She's crazy and her mentality.

Yeah, is it like that you've just got a drive that is very obvious? Yeah, nothing really like phases me, like I'm not scared of like spiders or trying different foods. Like she always says, don't ask Lucy if the dessert's nice because she'll just eat anything anyway. All the time she's like, I'm going to ask you. Or if you've got food left over, just give it to Lucy. She'll have it. Are you just like the communal, what do they call it? The garbage can where it's just like you can give her anything.

If someone's eating something they don't want to finish then they'll just be like, oh Lucy, Lucy will have it. I will, I think I'm a bit like that. Are you a bit more fussy? Yeah. Are you a fussy eater? I think that's just how we work. Yeah.

She's not super fussy. You try things. That's the key. You've got to try, but then you can just slide it across. Yeah, if she doesn't like it, she'll just be like... Yeah, my girlfriend has never finished a meal in her life because I will get there halfway through if she's on the way. What about you, Lauren?

Are we getting you on I'm a Celeb? Are you completing it or are you... Are you failing at the first jump to laughter? I don't like anything touching me. I wouldn't survive on creatures. Except for a football. That's fine, right? Yeah. Okay. We can find another one for you. What about Strictly Come Dancing? No. Dancing on Ice?

Total Wipeout. Total Wipeout! Oh, okay. They have big balls. They have big red rings. I've always wanted to bounce off those. That's a really niche, that's a niche dream. That's a niche dream. I'm telling you. Guys, we've had a niche Lauren James Brain moment there.

We've just found out that you've thought about being on Total Wipeout for no reason. Just to be bouncing the red ball. Big red ball, okay, fab. Well, if you're watching Total Wipeout, you got a candidate. Maybe we should set one up. Yeah.

When we're in Switzerland, I'll try and organise that, okay? We're obviously getting closer to the Euros kicking off. Lucy, how are you feeling? Obviously this is not your first rodeo, but does that make a difference with the anticipation ahead of the tournament? Yeah, I think the anticipation maybe is a little bit different.

I'm still just as excited. I think it's nice because each tournament there's always new players and players who haven't been at a tournament. And then they're like, oh, what about this? What about that? Fresh blood. Yeah, so you get to kind of live in their moment and their dream as well. So I quite enjoy.

I always say I like being around the younger players just because they're so excited and they're seeing like a new shiny thing so keeps you like youthful and excited as well. Yeah that's and Lauren it's your first foray into the Euros how are you feeling? Excited. Is it nice to have your mates by your side whilst you're going into this new endeavour. Yeah, for sure. I think, I mean, it's a long time away from home, so that helps. You know, being with people like Lucy, who keeps you going. And you have a mate. Keeps you, keeps the vibes. Who is the biggest sort of vibe creator, the person that ups the ante if things are feeling a bit rubbish?

Like, is there one particular person that will always raise the energy for you guys? I think Toonie's quite good at just being Toonie. Yeah. Quite funny, isn't she? We've got a few people who are quite loud and stuff. Or Grace Clinton as well. Yeah? Yeah, Grace is one. She's got like good energy. Yeah, she wants to hug everyone all the time.

That's nice. I was going to say, do you hate that? Yeah. Both of us are like... Because the hugs are like 20 seconds, I'm like, okay, you can go. I'm a hugger. Oh, well, get Grace and she'll be sat right there next to you. I'm definitely, I'm definitely one of those. But it's good that you're both like that, then there's not one of you that's... Because usually in friendship groups there's one hugger and one non-hugger together, but you're two non-huggers. Perfect. Perfect.

Just stay well away from each other and have a round of... Lauren. That's a first. I've not been called Lauren before. Lauren. Why? Because it's LJ? Yeah.

Does it feel really official? Lauren. Yeah, it's just really like... Okay. LJ. I feel weird calling you LJ because I've only just met you. No, it's fine. Okay. I do think that. Sometimes when people's like, LJ, I'm weird calling you LJ because I've only just met you. No, it's fine. Okay. I do think that sometimes when people's like, LJ, I'm like, oh, do you know me?

Who do you think you are? But it's good that you didn't feel that with me. That's good. Okay. Well, LJ, if I may. How's training going? Because obviously you're coming back from an injury, but you're looking bolder and better than ever.

So how's things feeling in the training ground? Good. Feel all right. Yeah. What you you feeling like ahead of the tournament? Is it nerve-racking coming up, coming back from that or you feeling just ready to go? No, I wouldn't say nerve-racking. I'd just say I'm looking forward to it. That's what we like to hear. Well, now that I've got you both warmed up, are you ready for a game? Yeah.

This one is called Where in the World? Oh no. How is your geography geography by the way? Terrible. Fantastic. You're going to love this. Before I start the game, I need you guys, which is going to be, I think you're going to love this Lauren, LJ. Sorry. I feel- You crack on. Yeah. Say what you want. Yeah. I feel like I'm calling you someone else's name. Some people merge it together and call it Elge. Elge. There you go. I'm really getting up close and personal now.

You're going to love this, LJ, because I want you to create your own buzzer sounds. How does that feel for you? All right. Hell on earth. Go on, do your buzzer. Oh, that's good. We have to keep that first come first serve.

That's yours. Nyeh. What was it? Nyeh. It wasn't, it was nyeh. There. Yeah. I don't know what buzzer sound makes. No, no, no. You can make you can do a quack. You can do a burp. You can do whatever you want. Not burp. I'll just stick with what I just did now. But they're both very right. Quack. Oh yeah. Please don't make a sound as well. Just say the word quack. That's perfect. Quack.

Okay. Amazing. Are you enjoying yourselves guys? Quacking good time. Isn't this fun? All right, here we go. Where did Serena go to university? Was it West Virginia, North Carolina or Michigan? Quack, quack. North Carolina. That's cheating. I went there. Oh yeah, that's a good point. Yeah. Congratulations.

That's not fair. Babe, I didn't make this game up. All the questions. Serena went there, then me, then Alessia and Lotta both went there as well. It seems to be the place to go. Was it good? Did you enjoy it? It was very good, yeah.

Fantastic. You've got to keep up, LJ. It's going to get fostered. That was a tough one because I only know it for that reason. And I feel like this next one is languages based, and I know how many languages you speak, so... It's me. I'm not speaking English.

We did try to learn a little bit of Spanish at the World Cup. Yes. Was it the colours or the numbers? We did try to learn the colours, yeah. It didn't go very well at all. Well, maybe... Hey, listen, guys, we've got a whole Euros tournament to go. We can learn what's the language in Switzerland, French or German or something. Yeah, you could belt... Yeah, they've got like 15 languages in Switzerland.

Fantastic. Okay, Jal Capallo is the word for football. In what language? Is it Finnish, Italian or Hungarian? Oh, okay. LJ off you go. I'm gonna guess Italian. Am I wrong? I'm so sorry.

Because I really wanted you to be right in that moment because that would have been a real flex, but you're sadly not right. Quack, can I guess now? Yeah. Finish. Yeah. Correct.

I've seen you all along. I kind of thought it was, I just knew it wasn't Italian. Okay, bonus question for you, Lucy. What is the Italian and Hungarian for football? In Italian, is it pilota or something? Oh, I don't know. I'm just learning from you. LAUGHTER

Sorry, babes, I don't speak full languages. I'm learning from you. You're going to teach me Spanish. I just merged Spanish and Catalan there, so maybe... The fact that you know Spanish and Catalan is... I don't know Catalan. No, I've seen you speak it. No, it's all right. We get it. I actually speak French as well.

Yeah, yeah, from Leon. Right, the world record for the longest keepy upy time is 28 hours. Achieved in 2023, which country did the holder come from? Italy, Sweden, or Germany? Don't be doing us quack. Germany. Incorrect. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany.

Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany.

Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany.

Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Germany. Secondary question, how long do you think you could do a keep you up before? 29 hours. 29 hours. Wasn't the record 28? 28 hours. No, I don't know.

Is that going to be... 28 days. Okay, perfect. We'll see you after the tournament. We'll start as soon as you finish. Anyway, moving swiftly on to you've got to take a bus through the Alps for an away day. Name three countries you're definitely passing through. Quack, the Alps, France, Italy, is it Switzerland? Correct! You could have also said Austria. I was gonna say Austria and then I was like oh she's only said three

and that's what I hesitated. Do you want to give me more? No. You said you had no geography knowledge. You lied. I did used to live not far from the Alps in Leon. Fair enough. You did. Slovenia. I wouldn't have guessed that.

Monaco. Lichtenstein, which is one of my favorite words to say. Um, and that's it. Lichtenstein. Tiebreaker question. I don't think we need this, but shall I ask it anyway? Yeah, sure. Sure, why not?

How many miles is it from London to Zurich as the crow flies? As the crow flies. So that means like direct, I think, doesn't it? Yeah. Is it? 300 miles? LJ? Is that too far maybe? No, I can't tell you. You've given a guess now.

LJ? What do you say to Lucy's 300 miles? Higher or lower? 500. The winner is LJ. It's 482.22 miles. So who would you like us to give the win to? Because I feel like you won the tiebreaker,

but Lucy sort of beat you. Shall I give you a little even Stevens? Yeah. Producers, what do we say? What's the prize? Depends what the prize is. I'll let you know in two to four working days. Now, it's not long until you both travel to Switzerland for the Euros this summer.

What's the rules for eating a raclette during an international tournament? What is that? Like a cheesy... Oh, LJ, let me blow your mind for a sec. Imagine you have potatoes, meat, vegetables, you then have a heated tray that you put a slab of cheese on top of any of those things and you cook it yourself. So basically you have a tiny weeny gooey cheese mush that is fantastic. Did I sell it well?

No that was a bad description. Yeah do you want to do it again but better? Please help. It's just like a little machine like this and you can cook like your chicken and your potatoes and your veg on it but then you do get a little tray that you put cheese in and then when you pick the potatoes off you put like your melted cheese on the potatoes or the meat or the veg. Is that up your strata? Yeah. Fantastic.

So are we allowed to eat something like that during tournament? Yeah. Yeah? Yeah. We do what we want. Oh. We do what we want. As you should.

Well, can we go out for one? Because I'm honestly gagging for it. Yeah. I'm going to eat one every day. I'm going to come back looking like a roll of cheese. It's going to be a giant wheel of cheese. Lucy, if there have been any crazy local, because I know you've travelled the world, literally. If there have been any crazy local foods you've tried whilst at tournaments abroad.

When I was in, when I lived in Leon, I did eat like fried frog's legs. Oh, yum. I love that. I actually quite like them. Snails are nice too. It's not a bit of me. Have you tried a snail? No but the sound of it I won't attempt. Yeah fair enough. In Spain you get like you know like when you get like gambas mm-hmm like big prawns the big ones like this when they're like really red like almost like this red yeah that's how they cook like paella because that's how we say it.

Paella. Paella. Paella. You cut the heads off, you're actually meant to suck the brains out the heads because that's the most flavour. So I do that, but I do that all the time now. So you suck the brains out of a gambas. You bought her a big red one. You're a legend. You're a legend. That was exactly the answer I was looking for. That's what you were looking for? Yeah, basically. Gambas Brains. Gambas Brains, if you're looking for it, try it on España. Finally, both of you, what's the most British thing you've seen fans

doing abroad at a tournament? It's like singing Oasis at 10am. Yeah, like Rowdy with the Pints. Yeah, Pints at 10am. And yeah, Rowdy with the Pints singing Sweet Caroline, I think that's what all other teams like despise. Yeah. I've got a real warm place in my heart for that kind of behaviour. Yeah, I'm just like, I think the song just, I feel like it's memories. Yeah, and other countries maybe think it's overplayed a little bit. That's

their problem, not ours. That's their problem, not ours. Sorry guys, but we're going to do it. And I think it represents, you know, when they're well behaved, it represents us. We need a bit of jollity. Lucy and LJ, that's all we've got time for. Thank you so much for joining me on that Lionesses podcast, Connected by EE. Wishing you all the best for the Euros.

Good luck. And I'll see you there because I'm coming. See you there. Can't coming. See you there. Can't wait. Don't forget to hit subscribe right now or click the follow button if you haven't already so you don't miss a single moment of this legendary behavior, especially as we get close to the tournament. OK, see you. Bye.